Thread: new shocks for the defender? what ones......

Anyone rate Durashock sold by RFM in Brisbane, supposed to be the same as TJM GOLD.

Anyone heard of or used them?

Can get 4 for 420 at the moment!

3 year 100 000k warranty.

I'm thinking very seriously about Delphi De Carbons ... just got a Delphi damper and it has transformed my steering.

Simon.

Originally Posted by flagg

Koni is great (if $$$$) but I couldn't get the lengths I needed.

I got my short body 7100's from eshocks for $178US ea. Shipping was 50USea.

For a std defender, its hard to go wrong with the eshocks $375USD for 4 billy shocks + the steering damper.

http://eshocks.com/bil_veh3.asp?Mode...=All&SubChar=Q

Yes the lengths/strokes for koni take a lot more homework. Some people have the light truck part numbers down.

I paid $NZ90 each for my last two konis. Brand new LC80 front shocks, right place at the right time. The rears have done somewhere around 250,000km, the only problem was the shaft unscrewed from the head on one of them some years back. Rather random and now loctited in.

Hey all

I just received my Koni's from the UK (Paddocks), and to say they have transformed my vehicle (98 model Disco 1) is an understatement. Fronts are 1311SP1's (2inch longer than normal) and rears are 1312SP1's (again 2 inch longer than normal). Mind you the dead Rancho adj I ripped out I could compress and extend reasonably freely between my hands and I'm not Arnie Scwarzenegger.

They ended up costing me approx. $500 australian + delivery (bit hard to quantify as they came with a host of other bits).

Then again I've heard that Billies are as good as well.

Cheers

Goldey

Hi,

You say that you fitted the 2 inch longer Konis. Have you got standard springs? I have original HD springs and don't know whether to order standard length shocks or the longer ones. Any advice?

I have a peculiar spring setup in that they are Toyota Landcruiser springs .
My front springs are Kings brand 80 series Landcruiser front comfort standard height springs that give me 3 inch lift.
My rear springs are again Kings brand 105 series Landcruiser front (the 105 series fronts have a slightly higher free length than the 80 series) comfort standard height springs that also give me 3 inch lift at the rear.
The only thing I had to do was flip the bottom spring mount front and rear on the Disco and the springs fitted straight in (so instead of being a 'hat' shape, they are now a 'cup' shape.
I have also fitted air bags inside the rear springs as they are quite soft and with the camper trailer on the back it can sit down a bit too much.
I have had this setup (apart from the Koni's) for the past 18 months and they have been great (except for the woeful Rancho shocks), especially offroad where they flex really well (and don't unseat, therefore no spring retainers).
I have to say though, what a transformation having the Koni's in and a new Bilstein steering damper........., unbelievable.

Cheers

Goldey

Originally Posted by goldey

I have a peculiar spring setup in that they are Toyota Landcruiser springs .
My front springs are Kings brand 80 series Landcruiser front comfort standard height springs that give me 3 inch lift.
My rear springs are again Kings brand 105 series Landcruiser front (the 105 series fronts have a slightly higher free length than the 80 series) comfort standard height springs that also give me 3 inch lift at the rear.
The only thing I had to do was flip the bottom spring mount front and rear on the Disco and the springs fitted straight in (so instead of being a 'hat' shape, they are now a 'cup' shape.
I have also fitted air bags inside the rear springs as they are quite soft and with the camper trailer on the back it can sit down a bit too much.
I have had this setup (apart from the Koni's) for the past 18 months and they have been great (except for the woeful Rancho shocks), especially offroad where they flex really well (and don't unseat, therefore no spring retainers).
I have to say though, what a transformation having the Koni's in and a new Bilstein steering damper........., unbelievable.

Cheers

Goldey

Goldey

If you are running 3" over springs,and running 2" over landcruiser shocks,then your shocks will be limiting your suspension travel.
Having run both Rancho and Koni shocks in my old Rangies.I found the Rancho to give a more compliant ride,but the Konis gave a better controlled ride,and were 100 time better made,as I broke the mounting eyes off a couple of Ranchos.

Wayne

Originally Posted by LowRanger

Goldey

If you are running 3" over springs,and running 2" over landcruiser shocks,then your shocks will be limiting your suspension travel.
Having run both Rancho and Koni shocks in my old Rangies.I found the Rancho to give a more compliant ride,but the Konis gave a better controlled ride,and were 100 time better made,as I broke the mounting eyes off a couple of Ranchos.

Wayne

Yes and No....depends on spring rate, retained or not, how shock is set up ie mounts and if the link bushes are binding first or not....